Media Release

 

February 1, 2012

 

Clinic finds new home

 

A successful health initiative aimed at improving opportunities and health outcomes for Aboriginal Children in Taree will continue at a new location thanks to a new partnership between Hunter New England Health, CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning and Biripi Aboriginal Medical Centre (AMS).

The service, which offers Aboriginal families free access to maternal and child health services, was required to find a new venue when the location for a Biripi AMS and Hunter New England Health Child and Family Health Nurse Clinic became no longer available this year.

CatholicCare, which operates a variety of child and family services on Victoria Street Taree, recognised the importance of the service and offered space in their building for the clinic to operate from.

Service Manager for Community Child and Family Health, Lower Mid North Coast, Chris Gallant, is thrilled that the clinic will continue in this new venue and contribute to improved health and social well-being outcomes for Aboriginal children 0 – 5 years and their families.

“This is a fantastic outcome that the whole community will benefit from,” Ms Gallant said.

“The Clinic will facilitate maintenance of the high immunisation rates for the area, ensure children are meeting developmental milestones, increase breastfeeding rates and reduce the gap in health and well-being between Aboriginal and Non Aboriginal children aged 0 – 5years,” she said.

The Child and Family Health Nursing Services Clinic will provide immunisation, assessment of infant’s growth and development, assistance to parents with infant feeding, , settling and sleeping issues and provision of education and support to enhance positive and enjoyable parenting.

Director of CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning, Sue Dark, is excited about the possibilities of the partnership and the opportunity to offer clients of the clinic increased access to CatholicCare’s programs.

“We have a number of programs, in particular our Brighter Futures program, which focuses on the existing strengths of vulnerable families to ensure their children have the best possible start in life,” Sue Dark said.

“By offering these services out of the same place the clinic operates will hopefully increase family’s awareness that these programs are here in the Taree community to assist them.”

“It’s a fantastic partnership and one we’re extremely excited about being involved with,” she said.

The doors to the new clinic will open this Thursday 2nd February from 10am.

The Child and Family Health Nurse Clinic services  are free and are for Aboriginal children 0 -5 years and their families. Bookings are not essential. families can drop in at CatholicCare’s Child and Family Services office, 148 Victoria Rd, TAREE, between 10am and 1pm Thursdays.

The Maternal and Child Health services operated in Purfleet will continue to run as normal.

 

Media Photo & Interview Opportunity

When:         Thursday 2 February 2012, 10.15am
Where:        148 Victoria Rd, Taree
Who:           Available for interviews or photos will be:
Coordinator of New Directions from Biripi AMS, Sharon Donovan
Service Manager for Community Child and Family Health, Lower Mid North Coast, Chris Gallant, CatholicCare Social Services Hunter Manning Director, Sue Dark and Regional Manager, Taree Child and Family Centre, Helga Smit.
Photo opportunity: Two mothers have given their consent and are happy to be photographed weighing their babies on the scales with the assistance of a nurse.

For more information or interview opportunities, please phone:

Lucas Coleman, Hunter New England Health on 0407895101 or Communications Manager for CatholicCare, Emma Blackford, on 0419 263 901

 

Media inquiries:

Lucas Coleman - 02 49213844, 0407895101 (ref HNE-2696)